CARRIAGE OF GOODS BY SEA BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.25 p.m.

The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

At an International Conference held in Brussels in 1968, participating governments were called upon to adopt an amended set of rules relating to Bills of Lading in place of the Hague Rules. The Hague Rules have formed part of our laws since 1927, being set out in the Schedule to the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (Chapter 184 of the Revised Edition). These Rules provide for the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of carriers vis-a-vis shippers in contracts (usually Bills of Lading) for carriage of goods by sea in relation to the loading, handling, storage, carriage, custody, care and discharge of such goods.

The Hague Rules have been amended by a Protocol agreed at Brussels in February, 1968. The Protocol incorporates changes, which international maritime nations considered necessary, since the Hague Rules were first adopted in 1924. The Protocol does not constitute any change in substance in the balance of liabilities and responsibilities of carriers vis-a-vis shippers, and it merely unifies certain rules of law relating to Bills of Lading.

Most maritime nations of the world have acceded to this Protocol and have incorporated it in their legislation. Singapore, in keeping with other world maritime nations, has also acceded to the Protocol and is now, therefore, required to pass legislation to incorporate the Protocol.

The Bill now before the House seeks to give effect to amendments to the Hague Rules relating to the Carriage of Goods by Sea contained in the Protocol agreed internationally at Brussels in 1968. It repeals the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act which gave effect in Singapore to the Hague Rules in their original form. The Rules in their amended form are set out in the schedule to the Bill.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Hon Sui Sen].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.